Envelop.



J. R. KIRKSEY.

ENVELOP.

APPLICATION FILED 0GT.20,1910.

Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

' COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO.,WASHINGTON, D. c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN R. KIRKSEY, DYSORTVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA."

ENVELOP.

ToaZZ whom it may concern:

,Be it known that I, JoIIN R. KiRKsEY, citizen of the United States, residing at Dysortville, in the county of lVIcDowell and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelops, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in envelops which may be employed as a merchandise carrying envelop, and which may likewise be employed without structural change as a sealed envelop, or one wherein provision is made for protecting the contents from surreptitious access.

Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction as hereinafter shown and described and then specifically pointed out in the claims; and, in the drawing illustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention, Figure 1 is a front view in perspective of the improved envelop in condition to receive its contents. Fig. 2 is a front view in perspective of the improved envelop, fully closed. Fig. 3 is a rear view of the same.

The improved envelop may be constructed of any suitable material and of any suitable size, but for the purpose of illustration an envelop of conventional form is shown, and comprises a back 10 and a front 11, the back being extended as shown at 12 beyond the open end of the envelop. The extension 12 is foldable along the line 13 over the adjacent portion of the front, while the folded portions of the front and back are again foldable over the adjacent portions of the front. By this arrangement the folded portions just described form an efficient closure to the envelop as hereafter explained.

Located upon the front 11 is a front flap 15, this flap being sealed at its ends and along the edge which comes next to the folded closure 12, leaving the opposite edge free and unconnected, as shown at 16, the under side of the port-ion 16 being gummed as indicated. The front flap is likewise provided with apertures 17, and the central portion of the flap is also preferably sealed between the adjacent ends of the apertures, as indicated at 18.

Located upon the back 10, at the end next to the extension 12, is a back flap 19, the

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 16, 1912.

Application filed October 20, 1910. Serial No. 588,112.

back flap being secured preferably by sealing upon the back and extended at its up per edge to bear over the folded closure. Extending from the free edge of the back flap 19 are relatively large tongues 20, which are adapted to be inserted through the apertures 17 of the front flap after the contents of the envelop have been inserted.

The improved envelop thus far described comprises an efficient merchandise envelop, in which the contents are secured and protected by the folded flap l2 and the inserted tongues 20, while at the same time the contents of the envelop may be freely inspected when required.

Reinforcing strips 21, preferably of metal, may be secured upon the inner faces of the tongues 21 by holding strips 22, to stiffen and strengthen the tongues, and prevent them from becoming accidentally displaced. The reinforcing strips 21 are preferably of ductile metal of sufficient rigidity to resist any accidental displacement, While at the same time sufliciently yieldable to permit the tongues to be repeatedly inserted and Withdrawn without fracture to either of the tongues or the metal strips.

Formed in the back flap 19, near the closure of the envelop are spaced cleft-s extending transversely of the flap and forming a relatively long transverse tongue 23, the last mentioned tongue being secured in place by a holding strip 25, which is sealed over the transverse tongue 23 and upon the portions of the back flap adjacent to the transverse tongue. At one end the transverse tongue 23 is left free for a distance so that it may be bent up to form a finger grip, to enable the transverse tongue to be torn loose when the envelop is to be opened. The transverse tongue thus forms a ready means for opening the envelop when required.

The transverse tongue 23 being covered and protected by the holding strip 25, the envelop will not be accidentally opened, while at the same time the condition of the transverse tongue may be at all times inspected to determine whether the envelop has been tampered with or not. By this means when the tongues 20 are sealed in position by applying the sealing element to the extension 16 of the front flap, and the holding member 25 and the transverse tongue 23 arranged in position, as shown,

the improved envelop becomes an effectual safety envelop, which cannot be opened without detection, and will thus effectually protect the contents from surreptitious access.

An important feature in connection with this invention resides in the fact that the flap 15 has one edge extending up to the line at which the extension 12 and the flap 19 are folded over. Consequently the edge of the flap 15 will serve as means for directing the folding of the extension 12 and. the flap 19. Another feature is that the portion of the flap 15 between the apertures 17 and the line at which the flap 19 is folded over is secured directly to the front 11 of the envelop. Therefore when the flap 19 is folded over this portion of the flap 15 is covered and cannot be readily reached to be loosened in its position upon the envelop front 11 by steaming or other process. When the tongues 20 carried by the flap 19 are inserted through the apertures 17 they are secured against the front of theenvelop 11 by that portion of the flap 15 which is between the apertures 17 and the edge 16 of the flap 15. Therefore when the envelop is sealed parts of the flap 19 are secured under the flap 15 and parts of the flap 15 are secured under the flap 19, while the flap 15 serves a double purpose in that it is a securing means for the tongues of the flap 19 and is a folding guide for the said flap 19.

Having thus described the what is claimed as new is:

An envelop comprising front and back sides having an opening at one edge, a flap having apertures and secured directly to one of the sides of the envelopbetween its apertures and one edge in the vicinity of the opening at the edge of the envelop, the opposite edge of the said flap carrying upon its under side an adhesive, a flap mounted upon the other side of the envelop and foldable over the edge thereof at the opening thereof and along the line of the securing edge of the first mentioned. flap, the last mentioned flap carrying tongues which are insertible through the apertures in the first mentioned flap and which are adapted to be secured under the first mentioned flap and against the side of the envelop to which the first mentioned flap is attached by the adhesive carried upon the under side of the first mentioned flap. 1

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN R. KIRKSEY. e 8.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents, each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

invention 

